What started as an after-school side project in April 2024 quickly turned into something much bigger for Ethan Curtis. He was tutoring a handful of students, helping them prepare for math competitions like the American Math Contest (AMC). He loved seeing their excitement when they mastered a challenging problem, and the pocket money wasn't bad either.
As word spread, Ethan soon had more interested students than he could handle alone. Between his own studies, competition prep, and existing students, he knew he needed help - not just with teaching, but with growing this budding education company.
That's when he found Dominic Ely '26. During a casual conversation, Curtis mentioned his tutoring work and the increasing demand. Ely's eyes lit up as he sketched out ideas for a website and Google ad campaigns.
With Ely's marketing experience and Curtis's teaching passion, they transformed the informal tutoring into AMC Academy, an education company specifically designed for students aiming to excel in mathematics competitions.
“My goal was to bring as many people to our organization as possible” said Ely.
He officially hired classmate Ely, who became AMC Academy’s chief marketing officer and fellow founder. Ely took charge of promoting the service, helping it reach a wider audience.
"I wanted more students, and it was getting difficult for me to manage on my own given the demand," Curtis explained.
Together, they began assembling a team of coaches, many of whom are students at prestigious universities such as Berkeley, MIT, and the University of Southern California.
Recognizing the need for technical expertise, the duo brought in Jaden Berger-North '25, as their chief programming officer. Berger-North’s role was to enhance the back end of its website, developing a system to streamline operations.
"I've never really done anything similar to this before, so to be able to combine software development, a field I've been passionate about for as long as I can remember, with a legitimate business endeavour has been extremely rewarding," Berger-North said.
With their combined skills in math, business, and computer science, the trio transformed AMC Academy from a side hustle into a legitimate enterprise. The website’s back end now handles tasks like pairing students with coaches, generating Zoom links, and managing homework assignments, making operations more efficient.
“At first, we were probably putting in more than 20 hours a week individually,” Curtis said. “But now it’s a lot easier with the system in place and the work divided among us.”
The growth has been remarkable. From just one student in its early days, AMC Academy now serves over 30 students and boasts a team of over 50 staff members and six coaches.
The business has even earned a 2025 Global Recognition Award for its innovative approach to mathematics education.
“It has given us all really valuable lessons and experience in what it's like to be a leader,” Ely reflected.
Despite their success, the team remains grounded and ambitious. They’re working to integrate AI tools to enhance their teaching methods and reduce student questions about homework.
Long-term plans include offering AP and SAT tutoring, research-based classes, and a not-for-profit branch to support students who may not be able to afford their current services.
Balancing school and business hasn’t been easy, but the trio’s determination and teamwork have been key.
“We’ve learned to leverage our unique skill sets and divide the workload effectively,” said Ely.
From its humble beginnings, AMC Academy has become a source of pride for its founders and a valuable resource for students aiming to excel in mathematics. For those interested in learning more, the academy’s website offers additional information about its programs and mission.
What started as a simple side project has evolved into a thriving business, proving that with passion, dedication, and a strong team, anything is possible.
Dominic Ely
Ethan Curtis
